Sheep runner hit the nail on the head - TropicBahamas doesn't just have a horse in the race ... She is the horse running the race, along with her partner. They are attempting to profit from all financial gains recommended via the fishing legislation, by suggesting the money be run through BFFIA. Anybody that has been following the facts about this association can see they have done nothing at all in the past year, except post pictures of themselves on Facebook. How is this helping us Bahamians?

The serious factor and common denominator in all of this is the ignorance of my people - Bahamians discrimination towards foreigners; when the money that the foreign tourists bring to the islands is spent on charter planes, taxis, grocery shops, souvenier stores, lodges, guides and miscellaneous purchases. While Bahamians continue to offend the foreign tourist, we create a barrier in customer service that alienates their desire to engage with the Bahamas society as a whole. This issue is not just about fishing or expenses related to such, it involves the ignorance presented by the people of the nation who do not graciously welcome tourists into the country, because they are foreigners. Kindly noted is that The Bahamas Fly Fishing Industry Association did not have a public demise until Prescott Smith took over the helm. The man who used to be married to a foreign woman and adopted foreign children and housed foreign in-laws on his Stafford Creek Lodge property, seemingly became most hateful toward foreigners and utilized the BFFIA as a platform. We can't have it both ways folks, encouraging foreign investors and expecting benefits from foreign tourism, while simultaneously rooting a nation of blatant hate and discontent toward the same foreigners. The way I see it: Mental Health can be medicated, Stupidity can be educated, but Ignorance ... Need I say more? Cuba, Belize, Mexico, Costa Rica - get ready for the influx of unwelcomed foreign fisherman that will NEVER visit the Bahamas again!

Although it is constructive to design a framework for flats fishing in the Bahamas, it is also dangerous to believe that there are no hidden agendas occurring amongst relations with BFFIA and Mr. Grey. As stated, the legislation has been met with strong opposition from a number of lodge owners and fly fishing outfits, whom I suspect are "foreigners". The real issue to consider is whether or not such foreigners concerns are being heard and whether their visions are actually being considered. It sure would be insightful to learn what "consultative process" was utilized to "build consensus". We ought to be able to figure that out, based on the presentation of the proposed draft and BFFIA's response to it. By the way, what exactly is BFFIA doing for all of us Bahamian fishing guides?

The real truth is that Bahamians are just so ignorant of their own country, it's necessary processes, and the overall consequences for not being educated, personally accountable, and quite honestly, simply honorable. Thus, it takes the foreigners to make it "Better in the Bahamas." When you begin to take responsibility for your choices and actions, you can stop blaming foreigners. Do you realize how simple minded your comment is happy fly and supply vat? Really!

TheMadHatter's response has confirmed for me, that I have experienced the described victimization occurring within our Bahamian Government and specific Ministries throughout the Bahamas. As a foreigner - my job applications were misplaced seven times, I awaited 2 years for the receipt of a Confirmation Letter for an OPEN post within the Ministry which I applied, and thereafter provided committed services for three years without an employee number or paycheck. Thereafter, I applied to Immigrations for Permanent Residency and experienced everything TheMadHatter described; more information required, lost documents, cancelled appointments, and rules changing along the way - even with an influential Bahamian attorney representing me. My land was purchased and resort home built before Immigrations ever responded to my application - 5 years later. I quote TheMadHatter with "The policy is to let people hang in the wind, wondering why they haven't received a response." Yes, that was my experience. And if I did not love the work that I do within my Ministry, not the Ministry itself, or the magical nature that my Family Island delivers, I too would have responded just as Mr. Parker - pulling out my academic contributions and monetary investments. I am disheartened by the reality of how little our country demonstrates ethics, integrity and accountability. And even more distressed about where we go from here...